Thanks for sources so far on JavaScript usage percentages, namely
counter.com (thanks Alistair) and w3schools.com (thanks Kieren).
Thanks also to Colin for his reminder about the whole JavaScript issue.
The reason I am asking for stats is to make the case for a significant
redevelopment of an important public site that does rely solely on
JavaScript functionality. The person responsible for the site needs as much
ammunition as possible to convince those that hold the purse strings - very
often these people speak stats, hence my enquiry.
By the way there seems to be a consensus of about 10% do not have JavaScript
(available or turned on) - I must admit that seems high to me but being a
significant proportion it should do the trick in terms of persuasion!
Thanks
Jon
_____
From: w3c-wai-ig-request@w3.org [mailto:w3c-wai-ig-request@w3.org] On Behalf
Of Colin Lieberman
Sent: 04 November 2005 17:06
To: w3c-wai-ig@w3.org
Subject: sorry! RE: Stats about JavaScript availability
In the second paragraph in my last email, I mean "you shouldN'T rely on
scripting"
_____
From: w3c-wai-ig-request@w3.org [mailto:w3c-wai-ig-request@w3.org] On Behalf
Of Colin Lieberman
Sent: Friday, November 04, 2005 9:01 AM
To: w3c-wai-ig@w3.org
Subject: RE: Stats about JavaScript availability
Jon-
The deal with JavaScript is that while statistically, "everyone" uses it,
there are major accessibility issues for the *statistically* insignificant
percent of people who don't.
This is an issue with good design more than just accessibility- JavaScript
should be used to *add* functionality, not to be primarily responsible for
it. A site should always be scalable in terms of usability- you should be
able to use the Lynx browser and access every part of your site. Maybe
you'll have to tab through links for navigation, but the point is that those
links should be there, you should rely on scripting.
For a good example of bad JavaScript, check out Travelocity.com. Users of
screen reader can not book air travel on this site because of it's reliance
on scripting for date selection.
A good rule of thumb: if you can do it with scripting, there should also be
a way to do it without scripting.
Colin Lieberman
IT Manager
Disability Rights Advocates
449 15th Street, Suite 303
Oakland California 94612
_____
From: w3c-wai-ig-request@w3.org [mailto:w3c-wai-ig-request@w3.org] On Behalf
Of Jon Dodd
Sent: Friday, November 04, 2005 5:20 AM
To: w3c-wai-ig@w3.org
Subject: Stats about JavaScript availability
Hi All,
Does anyone know a source of reliable statistics concerning use of
JavaScript (relates to several WCAG 1.0 checkpoints of course).
My perception is that everyone now uses it but have heard that up to about
10% of people are browsing without it for several reasons:
* banned from a corporate environment because of security issues
* using alternative devices which do not support it (not necessarily
adaptive technologies)
Anyone got any references or info on this.
Many thanks
Jon